By Mason Nesbitt, TMU Sports Information Director

The Master’s University women’s volleyball team knew it would be challenged this weekend when it flew east to play in what might be the toughest four-game stretch any NAIA program will attempt to navigate this season.

Friday confirmed the notion that the Mustangs’ impressive 9-0 start still leaves room for improvement as the team builds toward a strong showing in Golden State Athletic Conference play and, it hopes, a berth in the NAIA tournament.

TMU plans to grow from a pair of 3-0 losses on the first day of the Hampton Inn Classic in Columbia, Mo. The Mustangs fell to some of the nation’s best.

Master’s played No. 5 Park University first and lost by scores of 25-11, 25-14, 25-17. The road didn’t ease up in the evening, but TMU rose to the challenge. The Mustangs lost to No. 3 Missouri Baptist by scores of 25-16, 25-23, 25-20.

Master’s nearly took set two, leading 13-11 at one point and later forging a 22-22 tie. It wasn’t to be.

Here are the box scores for Game 1 and Game 2.

The Mustangs took another crack at NAIA Top 25 teams Saturday when they played No. 14 Columbia College and No. 1 Lindsey Wilson.